Growing Tomatoes From Seeds Is Both Easy And Fun!
Planting seeds and growing tomato plants from them is not very difficult and is also very rewarding. With such a large variety of tomatoes to choose from, finding seed packets and experimenting with different varieties is both easy and fun.
We begin by planting and growing the tomato seeds indoors for about six to eight weeks. To ensure the seedlings are ready to move outdoors when the weather is right, this would normally commence in early spring.
The seeds must be sown evenly over the compost that has been placed in a planting tray. A pot plant in sunlight can also be used to grow the seeds. A warm place such as a windowsill is often the best place for the seeds grow best in warm conditions. A conservatory or greenhouse are often the best places.
To keep the seeds from drying out, a widespread trick is to place a layer of cling film over the planting tray. Once the seedlings appear however, be sure to remove the cling film. Tomato plants also favour damp soil although be careful not too over water the seedlings.
Tomato plants also love being in sunlight. If you are growing your seedlings in a tray on a windowsill, make sure that you turn the tray every day or two, to ensure that all of the plants gain access to the light, allowing them to grow evenly. If the seedlings and plants do not receive enough light whilst indoors, they may become bent as they strain for the light or grow thin and leggy.
Being careful not to harm the roots, transplant the seedlings from the planting tray to their individual pots when they reach a height of about 3-5cm (1-2 inches). Lifting the seedlings by the leaves and not the stem should avoid harming them at this young age.
Create a hole in the soil big enough for the seedling’s roots and place the seedling in it. Back fill the hole with compost and immediately water the seedling. Lightly press the compost around the roots ensuring that the roots have good contact with the surrounding soil.
Keep the seedlings in the sunlight and turn regularly to ensure even growth. When the seedlings have reached a height of about 20cm (8 inches) tall, they should be transplanted again into larger containers or pots.
Before moving the seedlings into the outdoor garden, they need to be left outside in the sun for a few hours each day to harden them off. This will help their transition to the outside temperatures.
When the weather is warm enough for them to be transplanted outdoors, the seedlings should have grown about half a dozen leaves or so. Bury the seedlings in the soil that that only the top four leaves are above the surface.
Bury the stems deep in the ground to ensure that the plant develops a sturdy root system, assisted by the fact that tomato plants grow roots all along it’s stem. A stronger plant will develop, better able to carry the weight of the fruit and so avoiding rotting fruit from ground contact. The stronger and healthier the plant, the better the output.
Tom Brown is an experienced tomato grower and loves to share his knowledge with others. For more great information on growing tomatoes, visit his website and sign up for his free e-course or, for a more detailed guide to growing tomatoes, be sure to check out Tom’s fantastic e-book Guide to Growing Big Red Juicy Tomatoes.
